Vaccination against cervical cancer/HPV

[nooshoo]

This vaccination protects against a sexually transmitted virus which can lead to cancer and other problems. Does anyone know why is it recommended as standard for children from 11 years, is it because there is perceived realistic risk of sexual contact occuring from this age?

The HPV vaccine is most effective before someone becomes sexually active and has not yet been exposed to HPV

It's generally done in year 8. This is to get them vaccinated BEFORE they become sexually active and there immune system is very robust resulting in a stronger protection against the virus. Which you could easily have discovered yourself with a very quick Google!

Remember: it's a virus that can be spread through non-penetrative intimate and sexual activity. And even though the chances are very low, there is still a possibility that full-on kissing can spread it. Kids that age can start fooling around with their boyfriends/girlfriends etc. if they are making out with a 15 year old then it's quite possible that child may have experimented with somewhat more developed sexual contact. It's important that the vaccine be given a chance to work before there is any kind of intimate/sexual activity whatsoever.

IIRC my DD had the HPV vaccine a bit older, but nevertheless it’s a one and done jab, so covering everyone whilst at school is the safest option, as sadly there may be a snall number of girls where this could be of benefit from a younger age. It’s only to girls at the moment I think, but there’s talk of expanding it to boys too (as the can carry the virus).

it’s all round a very good thing I think.

Boys also have this vaccine

To make sure they receive it before they’re sexually active. My children had it in year 8. I was just pleased they’d received it as I don’t want my children to suffer and die from preventable diseases.

They do. I was reluctant for my boys to have this vaccine but, not only does it protect their future partners, it also protects against penile cancer. And nobody wants that for their son

Your post doesn't answer the question though. Which was why the age was set at 11.

My grand daughter was quite amused by being given the vaccine. ‘Do they think I am having sex?’ Said my 12 year old.

Because studies have shown this is the most effective age.

It's because it is only effective before you are infected with HPV, so getting young people protected against HPV which is associated with a lot of different cancers (anal, cervical, head and neck for instance) before any intimate contact is crucial. As others have said, its not just spread by penetrative sex, and although everyone wants to think that it won't be their child engaging in sexual activities as a young teen, you just don't know.

So the age of 11 has been perceived to be the age when children might start to be sexually active, in the majority, is that right?

Most children aren’t sexually active before that age? Can you say why you appear
to have a bee in your bonnet about it?

Could you possibly link the studies? Thanks

I’d have paid for mine to have this. It’s ground breaking and so important. It protects against so many cancers.

I had a bee in my bonnet about the post telling me I would already know the answer if I had googled! Not about the vaccine - it was a genuine question as to whether why the age had been set at 11.

Is it perceived that most children are sexually active from 11? Genuine question!

From the data we have 22% of teenagers are sexually active by 14, around 5% are sexually active at 13.

It is best to give the vaccine before becoming sexually active.

11 is younger than 13, when only 5% of the age group is likely to be sexually active. So by giving it younger the vaccine has a better chance of being effective.

How is this hard for you to understand.

No. They want to get them before they are having any sort of sexual contact. It also stops them spreading it on to ones who haven’t / can’t be vaccinated.
its not completely unheard of for 13/ 14 year olds to be having sex, however much we don’t want them to.
So getting them at 11/12/13 seems entirely appropriate it also allows time to catch up if they are off school that day.

It also protects against mouth cancers from HPV too, I think.

No. The age of 11 has been deemed to be YOUNGER than the age at which children might start to be be sexually active. And it needs to be younger, in order to ensure the vaccine is received before that point, with a bit of a buffer.

It was done on Yr9 at DDs school

Sad thing is there will be girls be abused from a young age, not just girls getting carried away with "being in love" etc. So while (hopefully) the majority aren't not even considering being sexually active, it will help to protect the most vulnerable.

You’d be surprised how many children are sexually active at the age of 11/12, especially in more deprived and impoverished areas. Shocking really. As Pp said though this vaccine is usually given around year 8.

No. It’s the age at which practically no-one is sexually active so that everyone, including those who become sexually active in early teens, is covered.

Literally no one has said this. Apart from you, just there.

It's done at 11 because it needs to be done before becoming sexually active, and mostly children are not sexually active at 11.